Here at All Seasons Uniforms we love a good polo shirt. We love their versatility; their easy throw-it-in-the-clothes-hamper care requirements; the seemingly endless variety of colors and shades, their smart/casual style that suits any occasion; but mostly, we love how comfortable they are to wear, and come rain or shine, worn layered or alone, our wardrobes always have something that fits.
We’ve supplied polos to countless companies looking to smarten up their workwear attire, and a high-quality polo shirt is the perfect blank canvas for screen printed or embroidered branding. But while the polo shirt may now be an enduring staple of wardrobes everywhere, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, its ubiquity can be traced back, more or less, to the mid-20th century.
However, there’s much more to the polo shirt’s history, and All Seasons Uniforms is here to chart its meteoric rise to the top of the casual workwear pyramid. Read on to learn more.
The History of The Polo Shirt
The polo shirt, as you might have guessed, originally began life as a practical piece of sportswear worn by Indian polo players, with the button-down collar designed to prevent it flapping in the wind while still offering some breathability. British soldiers saw the look and liked it, taking it back to England with them. However, those long-sleeved shirts weren’t necessarily what we’d call polos today, and it wasn’t until Jean Rene Lacoste’s 1926 U.S Open Championship that the shirt’s star really began to shine.
Lacoste’s short-sleeved, piqué cotton shirt with a flat, ribbed collar and a buttoned placket became known as the “Lacoste Shirt”, and by the time of his retirement from tennis in 1933, the famous crocodile logo was a hit with fans, and Lacoste was selling shirts to golfers, tennis players, and upper-class American college students. However, while famous faces such as JFK, Bing Crosby, and Arnold Palmer could all be seen wearing the shirt, its popular adoption across the globe is thanks to another fashion heavyweight.
In 1972 Ralph Lauren would take the polo shirt from the college dorm to the world with its iconic pony insignia, shifting away from Lacoste’s pique cotton in favor of a cotton blend which simply fit better, offering greater breathability and flexibility. By the time the 1980s rolled in, polos were everywhere, often closely tied to that smart/casual U.S preppy look that became aspirational to so many people. The rest, of course, is history!
The Evolution of Polo Shirts: From Sporting Roots to Fashion Icon
· Late 19th Century — The earliest form of the polo shirt was worn by Indian polo players. The British liked the look and brought it to Europe.
· 1920s — French tennis player Rene Lacoste wore the iconic “Lacoste Shirt” at the 1926 U.S Open Championship. Soon after he began selling “Le Crocodile” logo shirts in America. By 1950, English tennis player Fred Perry also had his own line of polos.
· 1950s — The polo shirt became synonymous with affluent college students and the look was termed “preppy”. Polos were popularized in sports such as golf, tennis, and athletics where
· 1970s — Ralph Lauren changed the course of polo shirt history with its pony logo emblazoned across their newly designed garments in 1972. This is also when the term “polo shirt” began to be widely used.
· 1980s — As polo shirts became a staple of casual fashion, Ralph Lauren and other brands expanded their ranges to include a variety of colors, fabrics, and styles.
· Today — Polo’s rule the world! Whatever colors, fabric, style, or purpose you need, you’ll find a polo shirt to suit.
Industries Where Polo Shirts Can Be Worn
Today, you can find polo shirts for men and women almost anywhere you look, and whether you’re at a wedding or at work, a decent polo always fits in. However, the polo is much more than just a fashion statement, and we regularly supply polos to companies in these industries.
Retail
Polo shirts within retail and hospitality are a popular choice as they are comfortable, smart, and easily branded.
Healthcare
White polos are often worn by healthcare professionals with breathable and easy-clean fabrics proving invaluable for the demands of the job.
Education
Both teachers and students love polo shirts, and they are often used as a practical and smart alternative that sits between the t-shirt and dress shirt as part of an educational dress code.
Sports and Leisure
The original and the best! Polos are still used in a huge range of sports and leisure activities thanks to performance fabrics and superior comfort.
Construction
With hardwearing fabric blends such as Westex G2™ and Modacrylic, polos can be flame resistant and built for the most demanding construction environments.
Events
In black, white or any other color, polos make ideal uniforms for events staff and stylish embroidered branding can help add a touch of class.
Common Fabrics/Materials Used in Polo Shirts
As material technologies have advanced, so too have the kinds of fabrics used to manufacture polo shirts. This means that today you can find a broad range of fabrics designed to work in any environment. Popular fabrics include:
- Piqué Cotton Shirts — The original polo fabric, with a waffle-like weave known for its breathability and durability. Ralph Lauren’s iconic polo shirts, especially the ones associated with the Polo Ralph Lauren brand, are often made from piqué cotton.
- Cotton Blend — A large proportion of modern examples are made with a cotton blend, and you’ll find a seemingly infinite range of blends depending on your needs. However, cotton/polyester blends are by far the most popular, and you’ll find both Port Authority polos and Ogio polo shirts in our collection.
- Performance Fabrics — Nike polos and Sport-Tek polo shirts, among many other brands, offer performance fabrics with technologies such as PosiCharge and Dri-FIT for superior breathability, moisture-wicking, and comfort.
- Modern Fabrics — Today, polos are available in a huge range of modern fabrics, including everything from bamboo through spandex to microfiber materials such as this flat knit polo from Edwards.
Conclusion — The Enduring Legacy of the Polo Shirt
From its humble beginnings on the dusty polo fields of India to the all-conquering, one-size-fits-all ubiquity of the modern polo shirt, this simple, smart, and practical garment has come a long way. While its origins may be in sports, its versatility and style means its future knows no bounds! Check out the All Seasons Uniforms range of polo shirts here, and explore our custom embroidery options for a unique addition to all of your uniforms.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.